A Critical Analysis of the Current Status of The Fijian Language Stephanie Roberts Advisor: Sekaia Waqaniburotu Academic Director: Taomi Qiliho SIT Fiji: Spring 2007 2 Abstract As the country of Fiji strives to keep up in the throws of modernity of the 21st century, it simultaneously attempts to grip onto its culture that distinguishes it from the rest of the world. Linguistically, Fiji is categorized into three general divisions (although each being greatly influenced since the 19th century). English, Fijian and Hindi serve as the three “official” languages of Fiji; as components of one country, they play significant roles in the formation of national identity. Language is a necessary element of culture, and was therefore studied in order to promote cultural identity for the people of Fiji. This study is an attempt to uproot the origins of why the Fijian language is considered as “at risk” for extinction, and whether or not it acts as a unifying or dividing factor for the people of Fiji. The study focuses on the Fijian language as a part of children’s education, how it is valued, and the weight it carries in society. Secondary research provided necessary background information which helped to prepare interview questions, and in turn promoted useful conversations. Interviews were conducted with experts in the field of Fijian language, political figures such as a representative from the Ministry of Education, primary and secondary school teachers, and students in order to answer the above focus questions. Findings suggest an overall desire to promote the Fijian language, despite significant challenges which must be faced in order for progress to be made. This study was conducted in hopes of sparking greater interest in promoting Fijian, in order to preserve a unique and valuable culture. 3 Resource People Baba, Tupeni, Politician, Lecturer. Phone: (home) 330-4616 (cell) 937-3364 Drova, Nemani, Principal Education Officer, responsible for secondary curriculum - Ministry of Education. Phone: 330-6077 Geraghty, Paul, Assistant Professor of the Language and Arts Department at USP. Waqaniburotu, Sekaia, Student at USP and president of the Teacher’s Association in Suva. Phone: 996-3324 4 Each language reflects a unique worldview and culture complex, mirroring the manner in which a speech community has resolved its problems in dealing with the world, and has formulated its thinking, its system of philosophy and understanding of the world around it. In this, each language is the means of expression of the intangible culture which underlies it decays and crumbles, often under the impact of intrusive, powerful, usually metropolitan, different culture. However, with the death and disappearance of such a language, an irreplaceable unit in our knowledge and understanding of human thought and worldview is lost forever. Linguists and anthropologists have suggested that the diversity of ideas carried by different languages and sustained by different cultures is as necessary as the diversity of species and ecosystems for the survival of humanity and of life on the planet. Why? Because this diversity offers the highest possible variety of solutions to the challenges of survival. The larger the ‘library’ of humanity’s knowledge to which humans beings can have access, the greater the likelihood that we shall discover approaches which will provide vital insights. Access to the library is only gained through the world’s languages. This perspective is reflected in the UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, adopted 2 November 2001 at the 31st session of UNESCO’s General Conference (Paris, France)” (30). 5 Acknowledgements Throughout the course of my research, countless individuals have provided a great deal of help and support whether it be academically or otherwise. First of all I would like to extend my warmest of gratitude to Mrs. Taomi Qiliho and Safaira who helped guide my thoughts and inspiration for my linguistic study. Secondly, a special thank you to my host father, Jawal Mangal, who provided me with the contact information for Mr. Sekaia Waqaniburotu, my advisor and valuable contributor to my research. Thank you also to every interviewee who contributed their thoughts and information during my interviews; every bit of help has been greatly appreciated. Thank you to 6 Telau for providing an adequate working environment and even better study breaks. Lastly, I would like to voice an overall gratitude to every person, such as my taxi driver, the local who directed me to a building if I found myself lost, and of course, every native Fijian speaker who keeps the Fijian culture alive with its sing-song persona and friendly demeanor. 6 Table of Contents Introduction………………………………………………………………………..8 Methodology…………………………………………………………..………....10 Part I. Language: an evolving matter 1. The natural way of multilingualism………………...………..13 2. The relationship between language and culture……………...15 a. Language, culture, and identity in Fiji……………….15 Part II. Fiji’s Linguistic Past 1. Brief history of the Fijian language in schools.……………...18 Part III. Fijian Today 1. Where does Fijian stand?…..………………………………...21 2. Thoughts on bilingual education.…………………………….22 3. Fijian in education: a plus or a minus………………………..24 4. Diagnosis………………………………………………..……26 Part IV. Language Death 1. The meaning of extinction……………………………...……32 2. Is Fijian in danger?……………………………………...……33 3. English: a help or a hindrance……………………………..…35 4. Why worry?...……………………………………..…………37 Part V. Revival 1. Solutions and reality…..…….….……………………………39 2. Projects……………………………...………………………..41 7 3. The future…………...……………..…………………………42 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………….…………44 Bibliography…………………………………………………….……….………………45 Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………49 8 Introduction Fiji has long since been an island nation struggling with the challenges of a multicultural society. Although Fiji celebrates attractive beaches, lush mountainsides, and friendly faces, it does not come without cultural strife. Multiculturalism is a significant trade-mark of a country that represents several identities such as its local Fijian people, the descendents of those brought from India during the labor indenture period, and scatterings of those from surrounding nations such as Tahiti, New Caledonia, and Tonga. The study focused on in this paper was conducted in Suva, Fiji, and serves as a peek into the sort of issues facing Fiji society today. The Fijian language, although spoken by a few 400,000 native speakers, is a significant aspect of Fijian culture. In recent years, studies have been conducted in order to pinpoint how and why this part of Fiji may be at risk for extinction. This particular study is the result of critical analyses conducted on the current situation of the Fijian language, with guidance from secondary sources, as well as local individuals. The study focuses on the question: Does the Fijian language play a role in unifying or in dividing Fiji? In order to answer this question, the paper outlines how language plays a role in forming a culture, by looking at Fiji’s history, and its current status as a multicultural society. Because education greatly impacts the acquisition of language, this paper places large emphasis on issues concerning primary and secondary education in Suva, and the issues facing the Fijian curriculum today. Suggestions and solutions for issues concerning education are provided, along with organized projects and policies in place which 9 concern promoting the Fijian language. Hypotheses are also provided concerning the outlook for the language, and whether or not it is positive or negative. The topic for this study was chosen because of the importance of maintaining the Fijian language, preserving the culture of the Fiji Islands. Language plays a necessary role in cultural identity, and therefore must be promoted as an asset of a people. Because Fiji struggles with catering to two distinct cultures, along with keeping up with a rapidly modernizing world, maintaining its native identity is key in attaining the stability necessary to represent this small island nation which, in turn, enhances global diversity. Few unfamiliar terms in this paper are used, but when done so will be properly defined. 10 Methodology Initially, my project began as a mini-ISP study conducted on the University of the South Pacific campus. I aimed to discover what the general consensus was concerning the popularity of the Fijian curriculum on the campus, and how individual students felt about the Fijian language and national identity. Once I realized how very practical this project was for my SIT program, I began planning how I would go about conducting research on a larger scale. My first interviewee was Sekaia Waqaniburotu, who is now my advisor. He works for the Teacher’s Association in Suva, and was able to help me think of where my project could go. His interview opened doors to other areas I hadn’t thought of exploring, such as visiting the Ministry of Education as well as specific experts on USP campus. My initial and current project objective is to determine how the Fijian language plays a role in either unifying or dividing the island nation of Fiji. Although I have had a general success with this ISP, there have been some constraints that have limited my access to information that would have been valuable for a more extensive research project. My first constraint occurred about half way through my research period. I planned my ISP month so that I would do one week of secondary research and then the following week I would conduct interviews and do more of the field work that was required. Because I knew I wanted to base some of my project off of interviews with teachers at primary and secondary schools, my first problems arose when I learned that schools in Fiji are on vacation for two weeks during the month of May. I therefore had to conduct two interviews within two days at the spur of the moment, cutting down on my field data. I was elated when I knew I would be able to get interviews at the Ministry of Education, 11 but when I arrived I learned that the entire language department was on a week-long workshop outside Suva.